Air New Zeland....another incident
As you have all probably heard Air New Zealand have suffered another incident upon departure, this time from Brisbane yesterday.
For those who dont know, the B767-200 departed BNE for AKL with 122 pax on board.
From passenger statements there was a loud bang after take off and one passenger described the scenario as thinking they had hit a smaller aircraft. The aircraft returned to BNE and landed safely without incident or injuries, although it may have been a hard landing. As the news is still relatively new, the latest is there was a catostrophic engine failure and it was appropriately shut down. Upon landing it was discovered part of the cowling was missing and there was major damage done to the engine.
So, my question is...what do the cabin crew do?
From passenger statements (and these are not my opinions, just what has ben broadcast on the news), the Purser had a look of horror on his/her face and set the scene in the cabin, not good but what would your reaction be? The pax were told to be ready for an emergeny landing. On approach the cabin crew shouted their brace commands, "Keep your heads down, Keep your heads down". The plane landed safely.
From statements the passengers thought they were going to die. They were screeming and some were treated for shock after landing.
As any incident in flight can be potentially dire. Were the cabin crew doing the correct thing by telling the pax to brace for an emergency landing?
Obviously this was a prepared emergency landing and the Captain thought it was necessary to prepare the cabin for such, but I know I have landed previously on one engine without incident and without knowledge, however maybe in different circunstances.
Was there potential for something worse to come out of this landing? Was it necessary to scare the pax? Did the Captain think this could progress from an emergency landing to a crash landing?
Personally, if my procedures required me to shout the brace comand I would.
As this is such an early incident I am keen to know your thoughts. Hopefully we will find out more about the situation in the cabin.